Opposition parties refusing to take up their parliamentary mandates would not change anything, because other candidates would replace them, National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan said while commenting on recent statements by opposition figures.

“The main thesis is: do not take the mandates. I ask you, please do not pressure those people. They cannot do that. Do not demand something they are unable to do,” the parliamentary speaker said, according to Radar Armenia.

He added that such a move is technically impossible because opposition parties would not be able to persuade all members of their electoral lists, numbering between 100 and 200 people, to refuse becoming members of parliament.

“People have spent so much money, so many schemes have been put into operation, so many people have become homeless, and more will become homeless. How can they refuse mandates? Not to mention that even if somehow refusing mandates were possible, it would not change anything. Other deputies would appear, other parties would emerge, and in reality nothing would change,” he said.

The speaker also referred to developments during the eighth convocation of the National Assembly.

“The opposition refused various positions, including committee chairmanships and deputy chairmanships allocated to them under the D’Hondt formula. And what happened? Nothing. The National Assembly continued working and will continue to work,” Simonyan said.

Commenting on the Armenia Alliance, he added:

“For example, the Armenia Alliance — with what justification will they explain that during the eighth convocation they did not participate in parliamentary work and refused committee leadership positions, but now they will take them? What is the difference? This is the situation they have found themselves in,” he stressed.

Speaking about Strong Armenia, Simonyan said the public is still waiting for a press conference by Samvel Karapetyan.

“What happened? Last night promises were made that there would be a statement in the morning. What is it, were expectations not met? Money was distributed to one million people, yet in return only about one-third as many votes were received? Welcome to the real Armenia,” Simonyan said.

According to preliminary data, votes in the elections were distributed as follows: Civil Contract — 49.825 percent, Strong Armenia — 23.281 percent, Armenia Alliance — 9.934 percent, Prosperous Armenia — 3.996 percent. Updated figures indicate that the Prosperous Armenia Party has not passed the electoral threshold, which is 4 percent for parties. The party has requested recounts in several polling stations.